The Score

The Score

A weekly rating of the city zeitgeist.

+5 Decked out in hundreds of lights, about 20 boats illuminate the night waters as part of the 17th annual James River Parade of Lights. Unfortunately, the Sierra Club's solar-powered entry just couldn't be seen.

+4 In another holiday tradition, a minister conducts the Blessing of the Animals for dogs and horses — many of them who serve police units — at an event sponsored by the Friends of the Richmond Mounted Squad. Everyone was happy except for the highly offended atheist horse.

-1 A fatal police chase in Times Square in New York draws attention to Richmond because the gun carried by the dead suspect — a semiautomatic Mac-10 — had been purchased in Powhatan. Because, you know, Mayor Bloomberg's gotta blame crime on somebody.

-3 The T-D reports that short-term repairs to the Richmond Coliseum could cost the city $3 million, while long-term repairs could cost up to $14 million. But really, how can you put a price tag on Dora the Explorer's Ice Capades magic?